Madalyn "Mimi" Breitzke Dortch

MADALYN "MIMI" BREITZKE DORTCH, 80, of Scott and Little Rock, died peacefully on Feb. 26, 2011, after a very brief battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 25, 1930 in Little Rock, Ark., to the late Frederick Gustave and Madalyn Toy Breitzke. She was preceded in death by her much admired grandparents, William John and Martha Cannady Toy of Ogden, Utah, and Elizabeth Lemmler and Frederick Wilhelm Breitzke of Newton Center, Mass. She was also preceded in death last year by faithful puppy dog companion Hercules. Mimi is survived by her daughter Madalyn Toy Dortch of Scott, and her son William P. (Bill) Dortch and his wife Katherine of Little Rock. She is also survived by her grandsons Will Dortch, Brian Sowell and his wife Christy, and David Dortch Johnson (the light of her life), and his wife Bethany, of Scott. Other survivors are her sister, Joanne Meadors and her husband Allan, and nephews Dr. Frederick Meadors and Andrew Meadors, of Little Rock, and a niece, Chase Stovers of Ohio. Mimi was married for 30 years to William P. Dortch of Scott, Ark. She proudly attended St. Patrick's School in North Little Rock, and graduated from Little Rock High School (Central), where she was president of her sorority, DAD. She attended Mount Vernon College in Washington D.C., where she was president of her class, and received OPTIMA award for highest grade point in the school; and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she was president of her Chi Omega Pledge Class. Mimi was known for getting worthwhile projects off the ground. She was a founder, along with dear friend Cliff Baker, of the Arkansas Repertory Theater; founder of Our House Shelter; hosted the first Opera in Arkansas at her home Marlsgate; on the board of the first kidney disease transplant group; founding member of Peace Links; founder, along with Helen Walton, of Arkansas Women in the Arts. She was on the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, Director of AIC Choir Camp at Subiaco for 22 years, President and Director of the Arkansas Interfaith Conference, where she worked tirelessly for many years on ecumenical issues. Mimi loved and was interested in all kinds of people, and had the ability to bring together all races and religions towards one common goal. She never met a stranger. She was given many honors during her life, including Junior League of Little Rock Sustainer of the Year, African-American Ministers Spirituality Award, Bishop Hicks Peacemaker Award, and named a "valiant woman" by the Church Women United. Mimi was a member of the Junior League of Little Rock, and a lifelong member of the Country Club of Little Rock. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, serving as senior warden; the Cathedral of St. Andrew, and Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. Mimi spent hours each day in prayer, mentioning by name all that she loved and cared about. She was an avid reader and worked several crossword puzzles each day. She knew the Bible by heart, and diligently read and studied it every day. Mimi traveled extensively throughout her life, leading many groups to New York, Europe, and on cruise ships. But her favorite place on Earth was "beside the still waters", on her front porch overlooking beautiful Bearskin Lake in Scott. One of the highlights of her life was visiting Washington D.C. with her daughter and grandson David, accepting an invitation from the Clintons to spend the night in the White House. She talked often of her night in the Lincoln bedroom! Mimi was a true Southern lady and was an inspiration to all she met. Her sweet smile never wavered, even at the end of her life when she was in pain. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a bright and shining star in the lives of all she knew. The family is forever grateful to the staff at Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehab Center, especially the nurses Sharon, Summer and Melissa, who made Mimi's last days a bit more bearable. They would also like to thank Monsignor O'Donnell for his loyal support and love. In lieu of flowers, please memorialize to Subiaco Abbey, Subiaco, Ark., 72865 or Catholic High School in Little Rock. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Fred Meadors, Andrew Meadors, Sidney Thom, Dr. Stuart Harris, Charles Penick of Morrilton, James Penick Jr. of Little Rock, Rick Bransford of Lonoke, Rev. Steve Copley, and Willie Thomas of Scott. A visitation will take place Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, followed by a rosary. The celebration of Christian burial will be Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Andrew. A private interment will follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.